FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. — The local lake, pond or beach may serve as the backdrop for many great fishing memories, but in the past year, nearly 40 percent of anglers revealed that they also traveled out of state to fish as well. It seems as many as 38.6 percent of fishermen surveyed by AnglerSurvey.com revealed that in the past year they had traveled out of state to fish.
Of those who traveled out of state, AnglerSurvey.com reports 34.9 percent took at least one trip out of state, 23.8 percent took two, 10.3 percent took three and 31 percent said they traveled out of state to fish four or more times in the past year. As many as 7.6 percent of survey respondents reported they even traveled out of the country to fish.
“Many of these trips require the purchase of gas, meals, hotels, guide or charter boat services and tackle, all of which go to strengthen local economies” said Rob Southwick, president of Southwick Associates, which designs and conducts the surveys at HunterSurvey.com, ShooterSurvey.com and AnglerSurvey.com. With an estimated 30 million fishermen in the United States, according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Estimates, that means more than 11.5 million anglers each year travel out of state to fish.
“These findings suggest there is an entire market of sportsmen worth targeting from state and local visitor bureaus and chambers of commerce,” says Southwick.
Those who hunt, fish and shoot are invited to participate in the surveys conducted on HunterSurvey.com , ShooterSurvey.com and AnglerSurvey.com. Each month, participants who complete the survey are entered into a drawing for one of five $100 gift certificates to the sporting goods retailer of their choice.
About AnglerSurvey.com and HunterSurvey.com: Launched in 2006, AnglerSurvey.com , ShooterSurvey.com and HunterSurvey.com help the outdoor equipment industry, government fisheries and wildlife officials and conservation organizations track consumer activities and expenditure trends. The information above represents only a small sample of the vast amount of data collected from the complete survey results and available to government agencies, businesses, the media and other interested parties. Results are scientifically analyzed to reflect the attitudes and habits of anglers and hunters across the United States.
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